Chapter 8

….

It was early morning. The royal family was having breakfast together. King Possible then stopped and looked at his family. "Girls, your brothers spoke to me after last time." He said. "Your rehearsals will officially start tonight."

"Tonight?" Tara asked.

"Yes." James said. "You will all rehearse each night till your brothers think you're ready."

"Yes Dad." Kim and the others said.

…..

DNAmy was in the wilderness, carrying a shell. She magically levitated a type of sea weed that fluttered in the ocean's current. "Well these will do nicely." She pulled one of the weeds from the ocean floor and opened the shell, which magically produced a beam and absorbed it.

"Well that will do." DNAmy said wistfully.

The Sea Witch began to slither home, her tentacles pulling her along with subtle motions. Before long she reached her cave. Drakken and Monty were home.

"Hey, Amy." Drakken said, swimming up to greet her.

"Hello Draky Smacky." DNAmy smiled. She looked at Monty. "Hello to you too, Monty Smocky."

Monty groaned. "Enjoy your swim?"

"A little." DNAmy said. "But not as much as I enjoy coming home and meeting my favorite cuddle fish." She looked around. "Where's Shego?"

"Out again." Drakken said.

The Sea Witch considered that. "Well good for her." She headed to a cabinet and took out her shell, magically transferring the collected items into it.

"So what's the plan today, mistress?" Drakken asked gruffly.

DNAmy considered that. "Good question." She then brightened up. "Let's see how my other little babies are doing."

She swam up to another cabinet and opened it. There were her magic orbs, each containing a cuddle fish of her own design.

"Hello sweeties, aren't you happy to see mommy?" She grinned.

The creatures inside just cringed in fear and disgust.

DNAmy, oblivious to their misery, admired her collection. She then noticed a particular one. "Oh, I remember you." She picked up the orb containing the mutant shark called Gil. "The big meanie who became a little meanie."

Gil flinched inside his orb.

"Well, have you learned your lesson?" She asked.

Gil was silent.

"Oh right, your voice." DNAmy magically restored Gil's ability to talk. "There."

"Please get me out of here!" Gil begged.

"Well I'll let you out, but know this." Her eyes narrowed. "Don't be mean to me again."

"OK." Gil said uneasily. "Please let me out."

"Just a minute." DNAmy said. "If I let you out, there are a few other ground rules. You can roam about the ocean, and get back at all the meanies to your heart's content."

"Really?" Gil asked, looking hopeful.

"Of course, you won't betray me." DNAmy said. "You won't tell anyone about how you got your condition or where I live. And if you try, well, my spell prevents you, so don't bother trying."

Gil grimaced. "Kelp." He grumbled.

"Also, when I call you, you will return." DNAmy said. "Understand?"

"Fine." Gil conceded, hating his plight.

"Good." DNAmy took the orb in her hand. It glowed and released Gil.

"Oh yeah." Gil cheered, happy to be free. Then he stopped. "I can go?"

"Of course." DNAmy said. "When I want you, I'll call you." She then flashed her sickeningly sweet grin. "Have fun."

Gil swam out of the cave. Monty and Drakken watched him go.

"Well, he looks happy." Monty grumbled.

"Oh, who cares?" Drakken grumbled, swimming to another part of the cave.

"True." Monty grumbled.

"Oh such sour faces." DNAmy said with a pout. "I know just how to fix that. Cookies!"

"Lucky!" Drakken grumbled.

Just then, Shego swam in, followed by a blond young mermaid with a pout on her face.

"Oh, we have a guest." DNAmy squealed. "Your name is Camille Leon, correct?"

"Yes." The mermaid said melodramatically. "Eel face here said you can help me."

"Why, of course." DNAmy said kindly. "What trouble ails you, my poor unfortunate soul?"

Camillle scowled. "I was disinherited by my family. It's not fair that I lose everything while other girls are rich and famous."

DNAmy's lips curled. "Yes, life is unfair. Well, I can help you get back at those who were mean to you."

Camille looked excited. "You can?"

"Oh yes." DNAmy said. "Of course, we'll have to discuss payment."

"But I don't have any-" DNAmy covered the mermaid's mouth with a tentacle.

"I'm not asking much. It's very simple." The Sea Witch withdrew her tenacle and stared intensely at the blond mermaid. "Now, you want revenge. Maybe steal from those who wronged you?"

"Yes." Camille said, not sure where this was going.

"Well after you get your revenge, you'll give me something you are able to give." DNAmy declared.

"So if I steal something, part of what I have is yours?" Camille asked carefully.

"Trust me, you'll get your revenge and what I ask for is completely payable." DNAmy smiled.

Camille became suspicious. "What if I don't have what you want?"

DNAmy considered that. "Then you get a freebie. But I'm sure you'll have what I want."

Camille grinned. "It's a deal."

DNAmy conjured up a contract and a pen. "Sign here."

Camille grinned.

SURFACE

Ron rowed his boat. Rufus looked out at the rim of the boat out into the ocean. He chattered.

"I don't know." Ron said grimly. "Who knows the habits of mermaids? But hopefully she swims around and this will get her attention."

Rufus mumbled something unintelligent.

"I won't give up, Rufus." Ron said stubbornly as he took the rocks and dropped them down into the water. He then lay back in the boat, enjoying the sunshine and the slight motion of the boat floating on the ocean surface. "Well, this is nice."

Rufus looked at his master and then at the flat ocean. His master had been doing this a long time. He doubted the strange fish girl that saved his master would ever return. But he loved his master and would stay by his side.

UNDER THE SEA

Zita, Bonnie and Tara swam through the market place. Reaching their favorite store, Club Star Fish, they began looking around.

Bonnie picked up a shell.

"Bonnie, don't you already have a shell phone?" Tara asked.

"Yeah, but this one has better magical features." Bonnie said. "It can take photos, it can echo. Seriously, I have to have it."

Zita sighed. "That's Bonnie."

Suddenly screaming echoed around. The princesses came to the store window and saw mer-people swimming as if escaping some danger.

"What's their problem?" Bonnie asked.

"That!" Tara shouted, pointing up ahead.

Up ahead was a shark. It was bigger than any normal shark, dark green and covered in black slime, resembling some horrible monster. It smashed a booth, destroying it.

You can swim, but you can't escape me, squeebs!" Gil shouted his red eyes full of malice.

"Did that shark just talk?" Bonnie whispered.

Suddenly Gill eyed Club Starfish and smiled, showing his sharp teeth.

"Girls, I think he's looking at us!" Zita said, looking concerned.

The shark charged at the window.

"Swim!" Tara shouted.

The sisters turned to swim away, moments before Gill smashed through the window. His eyes looked at the fleeing princesses.

"Oh, this will be good." Gil smirked as he swam after the princesses, trashing the store in the process. Zita, Bonnie and Tara swam out of the store as fast as they could, but the shark was gaining on them.

Suddenly some soldiers arrived, armed with weapons.

Gil stopped in surprise and then sneered. "You think your puny weapons can stop me?"

The solders froze in shock.

"It talked." One gasped.

"But it's a dumb animal." Another countered in horror.

Gil's eyes narrowed. "Listen up, stupid! I'm not a dumb animal! I used to be named Gil. Now, I'm Gill."

The solders threw glances at each other. "What's the difference?" A third asked.

Gil smirked. "I simply added another L to my name. Gill, as in what Fish have. Seriously, that's easy."

The head solder gave a single. "Whatever you are, you will surrender."

Gill grinned. "Oh I am so going to-AAAAHHH!" He screamed as various spears fired a mystic beams at him, knocking him out.

The soldiers surrounded unnatural creature before them.

"We should kill it." One said.

"NO!" The captain ordered. "This isn't a normal shark. He is clearly sentient which means he has the rights of any criminal."

Gill groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. The Captain fired his weapon again, knocking the freak of nature out again.

"Get that thing in containment immediately." He ordered.

…..

James was doing some paperwork. It was one of the hardest parts of being king; making and changing laws, giving directions to officials on local affairs, economics, policing, etc.

The door opened and Kim swam in. "Dad, what's going on?"

"What are you talking about, Kim?" James asked, looking puzzled.

"There was a shark attack at the market place." Kim said.

"What?" James said in shock. "Sharks don't enter the city."

"Well one did and it caused a lot of drama." Kim said grimly.

Suddenly a solder swam into the study. "Your majesty, there was an attack."

"A shark?" James asked.

The solder looked surprised. "Yes, you know?"

"I just heard," James said, looking at Kim. "What happened?"

"We're still working out the logics, but this shark isn't normal." The soldier answered.

James sighed. "Am I needed for anything?"

"No, we've got officers and experts on it right now," The solder said. "But you should check on your daughters."

"What?" James asked, looking concerned. "What happened? Are they alright?"

"They are fine." The solder said. "But three of them were around during the attack and got quite a scare."

James grimaced. "Take me to them."

"Of course." The solder nodded.

Kim watched her father swim away. This was an incredible event. And some of her sisters came close to getting hurt. She wished she had been there.

Kim swam through a corridor to the throne room. Her father and mother were there, as were three of his sisters.

"So what happened? What was the shark like?" She asked.

"Kim, not now," James ordered.

"Your sisters are much shaken." Anne added.

Kim looked at Zita, Bonnie and Tara and then realized that all were clearly uneasy, Tara being the worse case. "Are you alright?"

"We're fine." Bonnie growled, though she seemed too trembled which was more likely out of fear then anger.

"It was terrible." Tara whimpered.

"It's OK, Tara." James said, hugging his blond child, stroking her blond hair.

"It was scary." Zita said her voice calm despite her fear.

"Is there anything I can do?" Kim asked.

"We just need a few minutes." Zita said.

Anne then hugged Bonnie. "Your safe, Bon-Bon. It's OK."

Bonnie sulked, but didn't pull herself out of her mother's embrace.

…..

Gill huffed and grunted. He was in a large cage in chains, and hated it.

An adult mermaid with blond hair held out a stone towards the cage which fired a red beam, scanning Gill. In her other hand, she held a flat stone tablet with writing on it.

"You better let me out of here!" Gill snarled, giving his chains a tug.

The mermaid gives Gill a bored look. "You ready to tell me how you become a shark?"

"Well…" Gill suddenly halted. He grunted, trying to speak but unable to.

The mermaid scientist scowled. "It seems that whatever transformed you also keeps you from telling me."

Gill groaned, unable to speak.

Just then a teenage merman came into the room.

"Will Du!" The Mermaid exclaimed in surprise.

"I've came for your report, Dr. Porter." "Will Du announced.

The mermaid known as Dr. Porter sighed. "I'm still running tests. It's very perplexing."

"What is it?" Will Du asked.

"He wasn't always a shark." The scientist answered.

Will Du scowled. "He was once a merman?"

"Merboy actually." Porter clarified. "He is a preteen."

Will Du sniffed. "So how did he become like this?"

Porter grimaced. "I'm not sure. All I know is the magic was used to transform him into a pretty powerful… creature."

"Can it be reversed?"

"I doubt it." Porter said grimly. "If we knew who did this, we might have something."

Will Du scowled. "He hasn't told you?"

"I don't think he can." Porter said. "Whatever magic changed his form prevents him from speaking."

Will Du scowled. "What's the next step?"

Porter sighed. "I can keep running tests. That's all I can do."

Will Du became expressionless. "Very well. Keep me updated."

"Of course."

Will Du turned to leave, while Porter glanced at her subject. Gill glared at Dr. Porter, his red eyes full of hate.

…..

That evening, the royal family was eating dinner.

"So what was it like, Bonnie?" Tim asked.

"What was what like?" Bonnie asked with a frown before taking another bit of her food.

"The shark?" Tim clarified.

"I heard it was bigger and uglier than a normal shark." Jim said.

"And fired red beams out of its eyes." Tim added.

"And could create undertows." Jim then added.

"Wait, it can do that?" Kim asked in surprise.

"Wait, I didn't hear that." Yori shrugged.

"It was terrible." Tara said miserably.

"Alright, that's enough." Queen Anne said. "I don't want dinner to involve that terrible ordeal. Let's try talking about something more cheerful."

A silence followed. "I sparred with Will Du." Yori said casually.

"Did you throw him against the room?" Jim asked.

"No," Yori said coldly.

"What about you, Monique?" Tara asked softly.

"I played Evercove with Larry." The dark skinned sister said.

"Wish I was there." Zita said softly. "If I had known, I would have been there."

"Sorry sis." Monique said.

….

In a lab, Dr. Porter was examining a magic pad with data on it. It was very perplexing.

"Hey doc." Said a voice.

"You have a minute?" A second voice said.

Porter turned and saw Prince Jim and Prince Tim. "Your highnesses. What can I do for you?"

"Do you know anything about this shark thing?" Jim asked.

"Does it fire red light out of its eyes?" Tim asked.

Porter laughed. The boys were geniuses, but very silly too. "OK smarty fish, this is what I know," Her face became grim. "This shark was once a mer-boy."

Both princes were startled. "Really?" Tim asked.

"Cool." Jim said.

"No, it's not cool," Porter said sternly. "The magic used was a dark art. Whoever would do this to a child is a monster."

Tim and Jim didn't like being rebuked, but knew better then to argue.

"Any idea who he is?" Jim asked.

"His name is Gil, but says he is now called Gill."

"What's the difference?" Tim asked.

"He added another L to his name." Porter clarified and then scoffed. "Boys and their ideas."

"Is he like a normal shark or abnormal?" Jim asked.

"Abnormal?" Porter asked.

"Does he shoot red light out of his eyes or create undertows?" Tim asked.

"No. But he is twice as big as the largest known shark. He is green with red eyes."

"Are you sure he doesn't shoot red light?" Tim asked again.

"No. But he is stronger and tougher than any shark known to Mer-folk. His body is secreting some kind of tar. Not sure what it does."

"Does?" Jim asked.

"I suspect it might be some kind of poison or something." Porter sighed. "Will that be all? It's getting late and I've got to finish up."

"We'd like to know more when you do." Tim said.

"OK." Porter said wearily. "But boys, be careful. Knowledge is great, but some types of knowledge can lead to great evil."

"No worries." Tim shrugged.

"What he said." Jim added.

"Now I think you should go your highnesses." Porter instructed the two princes.

"No problem." They said simultaneously and departed. Porter sighed and looked back at her shell of data, her face grim.

Jim and Tim had just left the room when a servant came up to them. "Boys, you're late for your rehearsal."

"What?" Jim exclaimed in shock.

"Oh man!" Tim said in aggravation.

"Your sisters are waiting for you." The servant finished.

Both mer-boys looked at each other and turned and took off as fast as their fins could take them.

…

The twins swam through a corridor, each carrying a bag. Before long, they had reached the concert hall. Their teenage sisters were sitting in some seats, and didn't look happy.

"Where were you?" Yori demanded.

"We've been waiting for you for a long time!" Bonnie added angrily.

"Actually it's only been a few minutes." Zita corrected her.

Bonnie glared at her sister.

"But you two were supposed to be here before us." Kim added, very annoyed with her brothers.

"Sorry, we lost track of time" Tim said sheepishly.

"What he said." Jim said, equally embarrassed.

"Well, let's get started." Tara said sullenly.

"OK, here are your scripts." Tim took a shell out of the bag and it displayed some writings. "These are your lines."

"You wrote this?" Monique asked.

"More or less," Tim said.

"We just needed to fix some lyrics when we chose our star." Jim told them.

"Why?" Tara asked.

"Because we needed something that rhymes with the name of our star and we didn't know who would be our star till now." Tim declared.

"Lucky Kim." Bonnie grumbled.

"Alright, let's move on." Monique said.

"Fine." Zita said.

The sisters began to memorize their lines.

…..

Meanwhile, in another part of Middleton, a street seemed quiet. A dark shadowy figure swam carefully. Suddenly a sound erupted and the shadow blended with a wall, matching its color.

Some security mermen swam past. The shadow came out of hiding. It swam a bit more and then phased into the wall of a house. The shadow became solid and changed color, transforming into Camille Leon. She looked at her bag of stuff and smiled.

"Now I'm going to get what I deserve."

…..

"And done." Tim said. "OK, good for a first try."

"But we should practice more." Jim said. "We don't want any slip-ups."

"No problem." Monique said.

"Here." Jim said, handing them a shell. "Memorize the lyrics, girls."

"Got it." Tara said.

"Fine." Bonnie said sullenly.

The sisters began to depart.

The twins looked at each other and smiled.

SURFACE

Ron stood on a balcony, wearing a nightshirt. The day had been largely uneventful. What really troubled him was that he didn't find the little mermaid.

Rufus ran across the floor to the balcony and looked up at Ron. "Meep, Ma, OK?" He chattered.

Ron looked down at Rufus. "I'm just sad. I really wish I could have found that mermaid."

Rufus moaned sympathetically. Ron sighed and bent over. He let Rufus run onto his hand and stood up. "Thanks buddy." He said, stroking Rufus' back. The mole rat purred happily. Ron yawned. "Well, I'd better get to bed."

Rufus nodded in agreement. Ron headed to his bedroom. Setting Rufus on his nightstand, Ron then flopped down on his bed.

"I won't give up, Rufus." Ron said. "I'll keep trying to find her."

Rufus gave his master one final look of sympathy before curling up in his bed and began to fall asleep.

UNDER THE SEA

It was after midnight. In the princess chambers, the royal sisters were sleeping soundly... or at least, they were supposed to. Bonnie suddenly awoke. She gasped and trembled. She sat up, and clutched her tail close to herself. She looked around her room. Her sisters were lying motionlessly. The room was dark. She knew it was safe, but couldn't help but think of the shark attack. That monster was clearly mutated from a normal shark.

There was a swishing sound. Bonnie gasped and turned to see Tara swim towards her. "Tara, what are you doing?"

"I saw you sit up." Tara said softly. "Couldn't sleep either, Bonnie?"

"I'm fine." Bonnie grumbled.

Tara eyed her sister. "Want to share a bed?"

Bonnie fumed and then she sighed. "I like that."

Tara smiled and snuggled against to her sister. Bonnie pouted, but felt a little better with her sister next to her. Tara was a tender mermaid and was very sensitive. It wasn't surprising that the attack rattled her. Bonnie slowly began to relax. Soon she drifted off to sleep again.

SEVERAL DAYS LATER

A mermaid swam through a corridor, carrying a bag of slop. She reached a door where a guard waited.

"Just got the prisoner's meal." The mermaid said grimly.

The guard opened the door and allowed the servant inside, and both mer-people froze in surprise. Gill was floating upside down in his cage, his eyes closed and his body motionless.

"Is he…dead?" The girl asked in shock.

The guard frowned in disgust. "Well I guess someone will have to get rid of him before he starts stinking up the place."

….

Dr. Porter held out a rock, which magically scanned the creature called Gill. "No life signs. He is dead. It's strange. I wonder how he died."

A guard grunted. "Well, an autopsy will probably reveal more. Let's get this dead fish out of here."

Several servants moved towards the cage and open the door. They began moving the body from the cage. They made it down a few corridors when suddenly the mutant shark's eyes opened and he grinned.

"It's alive!" A servant screamed in terror, backing away.

The other servants hesitated before Gill suddenly thrashed his tail and took off.

"Hate to take off, squeebs, but I can't stand another moment of this place!" He shouted as he swam through corridors. He then reached a door and smashed through it. He swam up into the higher waters. He glimpsed the Middleton buildings below but he didn't look back. He swam and swam. When he was sure he was very far away, he stopped and panted. He looked back. Middleton seemed so small.

"Well, there will be other times." The mutant shark turned and swam off, his twisted mind concocting cruel daydreams.

…

Wade was in a diner, eating a algae burger. Across from him, his friends, Kim and Monique, were also enjoying their meals.

They then noticed a commotion outside.

"What's going on?" Monique asked.

"Not sure." Kim said, getting out of her seat and exiting the diner.

Mer people swam to and fro. There were a few solders and a strong sense of fear in the water.

Princess Kim and Princess Monique," A solder said as he swam up to them, "you must return to the palace."

"What's going on?" Kim asked.

"Did something happen?" Monique asked.

"Gill has escaped." The soldier revealed.

"Gill?" Monique asked, frowning.

"Gill who?" Kim asked.

"Oh man." Wade murmured. "He's that freaky shark thing that went on a rampage a few days ago. He escaped?"

The guard frowned at the young merboy. "I suggest you return home, boy. It could be dangerous."

Wade looked at Kim and Monique. "Will you two be alright?"

"No big." Kim assured her friend.

"Better get home, Wade." Monique said softly.

"You must return to the palace, your highnesses." The guard repeated.

"Bye Wade." Both princesses said before swimming off.

Wade nodded, and started to head home.

…..

Gill swam far from the city. "Couldn't get me." He gloated.

"Gill!" A voice bellowed.

"What?" Gill exclaimed, looking around. "Who said that?"

"It's me, DNAmy, my worrisome cuddle fish," DNAmy's voice said.

"What?" Gill said. "Where are you?"

"I'm in my cave. This is a telepathic link."

"Oh great." Gill said. "Now I got you in my skull."

"Don't be mean sweetie-poo." DNAmy ordered. "Where have you been?"

"I've been a prisoner for a few days. I only just managed to get free."

"Oh, my poor thing," DNAmy said, sounding sad.

"Yeah, yeah." Gill said dismissively. "Look, I've had a rough day. I'm going for a swim."

"Not so fast." DNAmy snapped. "Go for a swim. It will do you some good. But stay away from Middleton from now on. I can't afford my little cuddle fish getting captured again."

"Yeah, whatever." Gill grumbled. "I'm not in the mood for another trip there myself." He then turned and swam off.

….

TO BE CONTINUED

..

Author note/behind the Scenes. I felt that Gill needed a somewhat large subplot after he is transformed by DNAmy. That's why I made this chapter. The rest is just continuations of the previous plots and subplots.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter